Friday, January 2, 2009

The Lord Has Need Of You...


1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." 4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5"Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "[a] 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.(Matthew 21:1-3 NIV)

Before I begin to share with you why I chose to write about this particular passage of scripture today, I would like to share with you a little bit of background information about me and what’s been going on in my life lately. (I hope you all don't mind). The past few days, I've been spending a lot of time talking to the Lord about my goals and dreams. I reflected on 2008 and what a grand year it was. I thought of all the things I set out to do that year and all of the things I completed. I also took some time to reflect on things I should have and could have done but I didn’t.

It is my hearts desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord and to complete the assignments that He has given me. I don’t want to "miss the mark". I’m running trying to make 100 because 99 just won’t do. I began to think back on what I thought God wanted me to. I saw the vision that He had given me clearly but I couldn’t see how those things which He showed me would come to pass. I began to wonder if I was just dreaming or if God has changed His plans for me. I began to wonder if I had done (or not done) something that caused me to miss my God given destiny.

As I stared at my own reflection in the mirror talking to Jesus with tear stained eyes, I heard Him say “The Lord has need of you”. I didn’t understand exactly what He needed me to do. God made the heavens and earth. What could He possibly need with me? I’m not perfect. In fact, I'm far from it. I don’t always do what I should do and sometimes I do things I shouldn’t. Why would He need me? Then the Lord had me to recall this story of Jesus needing a donkey. God showed me that if Jesus could use a donkey, one of the lowliest animals –He could use me as well. If a donkey had an assignment from God, surely I did too. You have an assignment as well.

My revelation didn’t stop there. This morning, a good friend e-mailed me to wish me a happy new year and she told me “God has need of you. You can’t sit”. My friend is always an encourager but today she was also a confirmer. I believe that God allowed her to catch a glimpse of the vision He had given to me to be sure that I understood clearly what He was trying to communicate with me. I hadn't shared my thoughts and the matters I had before the Lord with anyone. So I knew, this came straight from the Lord.

When Jesus sent the disciples to fetch the donkey, He already knew that people would question them and their motives with the donkey. He knew that there would be choices – the big donkey or the small donkey. So He made it plain. Jesus told the disciples (in so many words) to stay focused, take the adult donkey and don’t let anyone stop you because I need this donkey so that some things could be fulfilled. We have to learn to put on the same mindset that Jesus gave the earlier disciples. We know exactly what it is that we must do. We must follow the instruction of the Lord. What is the instruction? Be ye Holy for I am holy. Where are the instructions? Written in His Word - the Bible. Why? Because there are some things that the Lord has to fulfill.

He needs you. He needs me. No matter how big or small our jobs are – we have work to do. Sometimes God will lay something on our hearts and minds to do where we see no way of doing what we have been assigned to do. But it isn’t our jobs to try to figure it out. In fact, while we’re trying to figure it out Jesus has already worked it out. When God used the prophet to prophesy about the King riding in on a donkey, He didn’t know where the donkey would come from or how events would line up so that Jesus could be in the right place at the right time but it all worked out. We don’t know how we will end up in the right place at the right time but as long as we trust in the Lord and don’t lean to our own understanding He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) and we will end up in the right place at the right time. Destiny will be fulfilled.

Lord, you are a great God. Help us to see the greatness you have placed within us. Help us not to look to the left or to the right but to look up toward the hills from whence comes our help. Help us to trust in you blindly walking by faith and not by sight. We thank you for your word becuase it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We thank you for direction and protection as we walk out this assingment you have given us. In all that we do in word and in deed, let bring glory to you. We thank you and praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

14 comments:

HALLELUJAH said...

Sister Shanita,

You never cease to amaze me, but thats just the kind of GOD we serve.

I pray that GOD continues to use me like he is using you for the upbuilding of his kingdom down here on earth.

Stay within the body of Christ.

Encouraging post.


GOD Bless~~~

Grace said...

I agree with you, Shanita. I had my quite time with the Lord yesterday at out car (because we have company with us and I can't find a place to be alone.)I was asking God's guidance for the year 2009. And yes, the biggest factor would be trusting and obeying Him.
Have a prosperous, blessed and happy new year, Shanita.

From the Heart said...

A great post. Your right God has a plan for each of us and He will show us what it is and how to do it.
Blessings,
AliceE.

Spring M Fricks said...

Oh, I needed this. Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed this.

And, thank you for the words you left regarding the letter post today. This time it was your turn to be a confirmer. :-)

luvmy4sons said...

Loved this post...good stuff. I still feel that God does not NEED anything...but the idea that He chooses to USE me to accomplish His purposes is amazing! To think that the God of the universe would choose to work our His sovereign will, to help others, to show forth grace and mercy through sinful human beings. Amazing!

Lisa said...

Shanita, that is a wonderful post. You know I have been going through a trial with my parents and my faith has been so challenged but God always takes me through and I coast with the peace that passes all understanding. Once that peace hits you it is the MOST remarkable emotion one can ever experience. My goal is the New Year is to lean more on God's word by studying the Bible especially the book of Proverbs to get financially fit.
I also want to be a better example for my kids and friends.
To answer your question I will need to ask my in laws about that program for the computer.

Myriam said...

You have a way of bringing truth out that makes us (at least me – think) and this post is yet another one.

After I read the title – I thought “the Lord had need of me?’. You are absolutely right that He has an assignment for all of us, you and me. He used a donkey and animal that comes to mind is the ‘worm’ in the case of Jonah. He can use me too. Something I struggle with is a real sense of purpose – so much so that this year is dedicated to living under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t want to live life on auto-pilot but stay connected with what and where the Spirit would lead.

I so thank you for such a powerful post. God has used this to remind us that we are here for such a time as this, this moment, this generation for a purpose which He planned long ago.

Have a blessed weekend.


Myriam

Toia said...

Great post. I speak blessings upon blessings for you in 2009 and beyond. Stay bless and stay strong!!

Joyfulsister said...

Happy New Year Sistah!!
I know the Lord will use you in a mighty way. He sees your heart and knows your desire to do his will. I love the scripture you posted it truly is a reminder that if he can use a donkey how much greater can he use you and I.
Thanks for always being a blessing and a wonderful sister in the Lord to me. Hubby blessed me with an early Birthday gift a notebook computer and now I can visit and blog once more.


Hugz Lorie

Tammy said...

The Lord has need of you...just those words that you wrote says it all.

Blessings in 2009,
Tammy

B His Girl said...

Yes Shanita, He has need of you and the rest of us. You got a donkey and I got a folder. He speaks! The Lord is encouraging us to Keep Walking by faith of course. How beautiful He is! Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord said to her will be accomplished. Luke 1:45 Thanks for the prayer that His will B done. Amen for both of us. FYI I am an official follower of Jesus and now your blog. Have a great day! B

Spring M Fricks said...

Shanita, I could cry on your shoulders. I am sitting at my desk right now arguing with God. I really feel like I am to contact a publisher and yet I am scared to do so. And, then you come and sing "enlarge my territory". Oh my. All I can do is what the Lord directs me to do. The rest is up to him. I will take all the prayers you can give me my friend.

On another note, I thought about you this morning as I was reading the word. I've been stumped on one verse for a couple of days. It's Mark 1:45 "...as a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places..."

I've often wondered why Jesus asked that man not to tell about his miracle and then Mark says because the man told Jesus had to stay in "lonely" places. I can just feel his sorrow.

Anyway, I thought I would love for you to write a post on this verse as I'd really like to have your insight. :-)

Shanita Waters said...

Praise God! Doesn't it feel good to be used by God in any capacity that He sees fit? I am blessed even if He just uses me to pick up the trash off of the church floor. the enemy has used me far too much in this life so it is my passion to serve the Lord.

@ Hallelujah - Thank you so much for your kinds words. I pray that you will be all that God called you to you - a strong solider in the army of the Lord! You are a gifted writer and I think you would make an excellent teacher of the Word. Your life applications are awesome!

@ Grace - Sometimes we have to steal away to be with the Lord. Sometimes I can't physically get away but when my Spirit connects with His and I forget where I am and what I'm going through.

@ luvmy4sons - You are so right! God does not NEED us but He does need ready, willing vessels. If we chose not to allow Him to have His way in us, our assignment will be passed on to someone else. I can't afford to have the Lord pass me by so when He calls on me I want to be ready. Thank you SO much for bringing up the point that God uses us by CHOICE. His holy, sovereign will will be done regardless but it's such a blessing to be used by Him. I think you would make an excellent teacher as well. I enjoy following your blog.

@ Lisa - Proverbs is a good book. (then again all of the books of the bible are **smiles**). There is so much knowledge and wisdom wrapped up in it. Maybe you could share "Proverb Pearls of Wisdom" on your blog on selected days and link with other blogs that would like to do the same? I would so enjoy that. I pray that you will continue to bask in the peace and presence of the Lord!

@ Myriam - I am with you all the way. I don't want to live on "auto-pilot" anymore. As I read your comment I thought of that old hymn that says without Jesus I am like a ship without a sail. That's EXACTLY how I feel everytime I try to handle things on my own - just lost and drifting. I just want to be who He wants me to be. I'm done with pretending, purpetrating and procrastinating. Here I am, Lord. What would YOU have for ME to? I pray that God will make everything known to you that you have inquired of Him in Jesus' name.

@ Toia - Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I pray that God will bless you richly!

@ Lorie - I am so happy that you're "back in business". I prayed that God would bless you with a new pc so that you could continue on in your Encouragement From the Heart Ministry - that's what it is. It's a ministry. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

@ Tammy - Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by!

@ B -I'm glad that you've chose to join us here on my blog as we follow Christ. We lift up the name of Jesus and apply the scriptures to every day living and tell a testimony here and there along the way. I am so in awe by the moving of God's spirit. We never know who or what He is going to use. I'm still stuck on the "green light" he gave you a few weeks ago. God is so good. "B" blessed. (I love the way you do that **smiles**)

@ Spring - Don't cry. Everything is going to be alright - I promise. I am praying that God will order your steps right now. I pray that He will send you to the RIGHT people and that your manuscript will find favor among editors, publisher and readers both saved and not. I pray that hearts and minds will be saved, delivered, healed and set free in reading your writings inspired by the Spirit of the Lord in Jesus' name. I pray that people will seek closer relationships with the KING in reading the beautiful narritives of your letters. I KNOW that God has a purpose and a plan for you. You are destined for greatness.

I was just asking God what should I blog about today and along comes his maidservant with an assignment. Isn't God good? I will read over the chapter today and see what He reveals to me to blog about.

Let me know if you chose to publish or self publish. I can give you some info and insight and warn you of one online publisher that has been preying on excited authors.

Parkay said...

Hey woman of God. Awesome Post. I haven't been on in a while and I am trying to catch up with many things as I prepare for another tax season. I pray that God continues to bless you and use you to to encourage others because what you write about surely helps me and whole slew of others.

PEACE.